Co-presented with Japan Film Society. Series presented with the generous sponsorship and/or support of the Japan Foundation, the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles, All Nippon Airways, Dentsu Entertainment USA, Kotoya, STORIES, Tsujita L.A. and the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board.

The Japan Film Society launched the LA EigaFest (“eiga” means “film” in Japanese) to showcase the country’s best new films and filmmakers. Over the last two decades, the American Cinematheque has presented many fine Japanese films, and we are thrilled to bring the LA EigaFest to the Egyptian in December!

Opening the festival is the Japanese summer blockbuster RUROUNI KENSHIN, based on the best-selling manga about a samurai whose vow never to kill again comes under increasing challenges. Samurai are called upon to defend a remote stronghold against a warlord’s enormous army in THE FLOATING CASTLE. In the dark satire HELTER SKELTER, Erika Sawajiri falls apart - literally - as the plastic surgery used to transform her into a superstar model begins to fail. The latest animated film from Studio Ghibli disciple Mamoru Hosoda, WOLF CHILDREN follows a brother and sister whose monthly transformation into wolves brings the ire of townspeople. In THERMAE ROMAE, a time portal connects a bathhouse in ancient Rome to one in modern Tokyo, to amusing effect.

In addition to these five features presented in the Egyptian’s Rigler Theatre - all of them Los Angeles premieres! - check LAEigaFest.com for more programs screening in the Egyptian’s Spielberg Theatre. All films are in Japanese with English subtitles.

Series compiled by Bryan Hikari Hartzheim. Program notes by John Hagelston.